(CHILLICOTHE, Ohio, December 8, 2009) – Giving a pet as a Christmas gift is a unique and wonderful idea, but pet counselors at Petland say you should plan ahead if you intend to give someone a new pet this holiday season.
“Christmas Day is not the best day to introduce a new pet into your family,” said Lacey Clever, program specialist, Petland, Inc. “Young pets are like babies. They need some time and extra attention to adjust to the family routine.”
Generally, Christmas Day involves lots of visitors or activities away from home. This leaves little time to spend caring for a new pet or setting up a new aquarium. Therefore, Petland recommends introducing a new pet into the household a little before or after Christmas.
“If a pet is brought home a week or so before the holiday, it has time to adjust to the family,” said Clever, noting that housebreaking, exercising and feeding routines will be easier to initiate in a less hectic environment.
Anyone wanting to surprise someone with a pet over the holidays should make sure the intended recipient really wants a pet. "Surprising someone with a pet they may not want is not recommended. At Petland, we truly believe in the human-animal bond, and making the right lifelong match between pet and owner is very important to the success of their long-term relationship," said Clever. However, parents and others who have done their homework, taking the time to decide upon the right pet for the recipient, might enjoy surprising their children over the holidays with a puppy, kitten, bird, small animal or aquarium full of fish.
Petland says planned introductions are best for the pets. Giving pets responsibly There are alternatives for gift-givers who want to give someone a pet on Christmas morning. Petland suggests picking out a new pet a few days before Christmas, but waiting a day or so after the holiday to pick up the pet. Then what can be placed under the Christmas tree? "A gift-wrapped photograph of your new pet will satisfy curious family members and even create some anticipation and excitement," said Clever. Petland also recommends purchasing a book, detailing the care the new pet will need. The book could be read and discussed by the whole family on Christmas Day. Gift-wrapping toys, grooming aids and food for the new pet are recommended, too, along with Petland gift certificates that allow the new pet owner some purchasing choices.
If for some reason a family must bring the pet home Christmas Day, then Petland suggests keeping the pet occupied, well-rested and out of holiday traffic. “Offer your new pet their own toys,” said Clever. “This will keep them from playing with or chewing on other people’s Christmas gifts.” According to Petland, play is important for young, growing animals, but rest is equally important. Like a human baby, a young animal needs to sleep much of the day. For instance, Petland says a puppy needs a three-hour nap after just 30 minutes of vigorous play.
Here are a few other tips from Petland to make the transition easier for families and their new pets over the holidays:
• Refrain from feeding your pet holiday table scraps. Your pet’s sensitive digestive system is not ready for rich “people food.” This includes holiday candies and chocolates. Chocolate contains theobromine, which in large quantities can be fatal to pets. It also is important never to offer coffee, tea, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages to pets. These beverages contain caffeine, causing toxicity similar to chocolate.
• Be prepared nutritionally. The most important supply is pet food, preferably the one your pet is used to eating. Your pet also should have a constant supply of fresh water.
• Observe your pet often, making sure it is not endangering itself by chewing on Christmas decorations – bulbs, lights and wires – that may be harmful.
• Keep pets from coming in contact with holiday plants – mistletoe, holly, amaryllis and poinsettia. These traditional plants can cause illness, and ingestion can be toxic to some animals.
• Get acquainted with a veterinarian in your community and find out about emergency treatment procedures. Make sure someone is on call if needed.